Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government has refuted claims by Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong regarding the re-approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd jetty project at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip).
Political Secretary to the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Chan Loong Wei, said the allegations were unfounded and reflected a lack of understanding of standard investment procedures.
He said reviewing and updating a previously approved EIA is a normal requirement for major infrastructure projects, especially when there are changes in the original design.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“In this case, the revised EIA report was approved by the Sabah Environmental Protection Department (JPAS) in May 2025, following modifications to the jetty design that differed from the version approved in early 2024,” he said in a statement, Tuesday.
Chan stressed that the approval process followed legal procedures and standard coordination protocols, denying any ministerial interference as alleged by the opposition representative.
He also urged the opposition to refrain from politicising strategic investments, warning that negative narratives could damage investor confidence in Sabah as a stable and business-friendly destination.
“The State Government remains committed to ensuring all investments are conducted transparently, responsibly and in the interest of the people,” he said.
